Music Of The Week: Okwerdz, Murda Mook, Big T

As battle rap continues to grow into its own self-contained success, battlers themselves are often working as hard on their own music as they are in the ring. Still, and even as many rappers use their battle clout as a catalyst for a more general career in the industry, too often the music itself gets swept under the rug (or used simply in the intro to the latest battle).

Below are some recent highlights from the past week in battle rapper music. We’ve included tracks from battlers like Big T, Okwerdz, Bill Collector, Dirtbag Dan and more.

Murda Mook - "Preach"

Despite the title of this new track from Murda Mook, it has nothing to do with his most recent opponent Loaded Lux's preacher persona. Rather it's a sermon from one of the battle scene's OGs. The video was shot in February and Mook has been holding on to it since then, waiting for the right time to drop it. This track, produced by Triple A, is the intro for his upcoming mixtape with DJ Absolut.

Big T - "Hypothetically Speaking"

In the first part of his Hypothetically Speaking series, Big T imagines what he might do with 24 hours to live. Rapping over a mellowed-out beat, T touches on his battle career, family, and his block.

Big T, Okwerdz, & Young Collage - "All The Time"

With Young Collage providing the sung hook, Big T and Okwerdz each boast about their rap careers and conquests as they ride around L.A. with pinup model Tania Fonseca and porn starlet Miley May. Check out Okwerdz quietly clowning on Lil Debbie when he throws one of her records out of the car.

Joe Cutter - "Well"

40s on a parkbench, skateboarders, and a gasmask all make cameos in Joe Cutter’s latest set of visuals. Largely filmed in black and white, Cutter covered the Teddy Faley track “Well” as a tribute and because he was "tormented by how bad [he] personalized the song." The frenetic drum loop does seem made for his off-kilter delivery.

Bill Collector - "124 Bars"

Shortly after being released from prison last week, Bill Collector took to the streets of Norristown to drop what he calls “124 bars of Flamez.” Bill spits over a beat playing distantly in the background, proving that he's back, along with his particular style of forceful punchlines.

Future Islands - "Like The Moon" (KOTD Video)

While the track belongs to a synth-pop band instead of a battle rapper, KOTD’s Fresh Coast camera team took some time off from the battle circuit to produce an unofficial video for Future Islands’ single “Like The Moon.” A concept video to the fullest, the Avocado-directed piece features a bullied teen and a she-wolf who seem to find an awkward solace in one another.

GoldShards - "Thick With The Vicks"

While GoldShards might not be an immediately familiar name on the battle circuit, the group’s frontman, Reverse Live, is harder to miss. Over pounding synths, Reverse Live drops off an aggressive anthem with visuals that seem as much like a torture session as they do an interrogation.

Dirtbag Dan - "Fuck That"

Culled from Dan’s recent (and free) DBDLP release, “Fuck That” reads half like a nihilist manifesto and half like a regular guy musing in the club. A mix of performance and documentary footage, the video itself comes off like a fast-paced trip through Dan’s angry consciousness.

Y-Not - "PNN Channel 7 News Exclusive On Battle Rap"

Y-Not isn't the most recognizable name in battle rap, but he drops plenty of commentary on the scene here. With references to Dizaster, Loaded Lux, Pat Stay, Math Hoffa, and more, Y-Not spins off a mock interview to air out his thoughts on the current crop of battle emcees.